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(No Model.

I. KI-RALPY. ADJUSTABLE PROSGENIUM.

Patented' Apr. 29, 1884.

ATTORNEYS. I

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMRE KIRALFY, or new YORK, n. Y.

ADJUSTABLE PROSCEN|UM.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,813, dated April29, 1884.

' Application filed February 1, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IMRE KIRALFY, of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented a new and Improved Adjustable Proscenium, of whichthe following is'a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved adjustableproscenium for theaters, by means of which the stage-opening in theproscenium-wall can be adjusted in height and width as may be desired,for adapting the stage either for ballets, spectacular plays, in which agreat number of persons and a large stage are required, or for comedies,society-plays, 850., in which but few persons appear at the same time,and a small stage is a great necessity.

The invention consists in the combination, with the proscenium-wall of atheater, of an adj ustable, frame for decreasing the size of thestage-opening in the proscenium-wall as much as the nature of the playmay require.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure 1 is a face view of the prosceniumwall of a theater provided withmyimproved proscenium. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of thesame on theline 00 w, Fig. 1.

The proscenium-wall A is provided with the usual stage-opening, B, whichin the theaters constructed heretofore cannot be adjusted or decreasedor increased to suit the play otherwise than by means of the wings orborders,

which is by no means a satisfactory expedient. I arrange an adjustableproscenium-frame behind the wall A, which frame is formed of two sidestandards, 0, a top cross-piece, O, and two corner-pieces, D, whichunite the ends of the standards 0 and the ends of the top piece, 0 Ifdesired, the top piece, 0 can be formed of two parts united by a centenpiece. The frame is made of 'papier-mach secured on suitable studding ora wooden or metal frame. The frame 0 G is molded and shaped in such amanner that the opening in its outer surface is larger than the openingin the inner surface, as shown in Fig. 2. The frame is painted andornamented with papiermach or other ornaments, so as to correspond Whenthe standards are pushed back, the doors G can be opened to form anentrance for the performers to pass upon the stage very readily, and sothat the adjustable proscenium will not be an incumbrance.

The corner-pieces D are on the outer surface offthe standards 0 and thetop piece, 0 and cover the ends of the same.

If desired, the top piece, 0 can be provided with a wing like the wingsE and F.

The usual curtain is provided in front of the adjustable proscenium, andan additional curtain may be provided behind the adjustable proscenium.I

If the stage isto-be used for a spectacular play, ballet, &c., in whichmany persons appear on the stage, the standards Oare pushed behind thewall A, as shown in Fig. 2 indotted lines, and the top piece, C israised, so that no part of the adjustable proscenium can be seen fromthe auditorium. If the stage-opening is to be decreased for comedies orsociety-plays, in which but few persons appear at the same. time on toproject beyond the edges of the opening B. If the opening is to bedecreased still further. the wings F are pushed out to project beyondtheinner edges of the standards'G; or, as shown in Fig. 1 at theleft-hand side, the standards the stage, the standards 0 are pushedoutward 4 0 can be pushed outward until they and the wings'Eproject fromthe edges of the opening B. If the stage-opening is to be decreasedfurther, the standards 0 are left in the position last described, andthe wings F are adjusted to project beyond the inner edges ,of thestandards C, as shown on the right-hand side of Figs. 1 and 2. The toppiece, 0 is adjusted higher or lower, as may be necessary. Thestage-opening can thus be adjusted as may be desired, and will alwayshave an elegant finish and appearance. The space between the top of theadjustable proscenium and the top of the proscenium-opening is filled inby a frame of wood or papier-mach covered with plush, or painted orornamented in any suitable manner. In the drawings this fillingpiece isornamented by means of an imitation of curtains painted thereon; but anyother ornamentation can be used. It is to be distinetly understood thatthe parts or wings E and]? form parts of the proscenium-frame, and arenot to be detached from the same, but are held to slide on standards atthe top of the frame. If desired, they can also be 1)l0"l(16(l withornamented corner-pieces. The corners of the adjustable proscenium canbe rounded, beveled, or shaped and ornamented in any other suitablemanner, and the top piece can be made segmental or curved in any desiredshape.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a proscenium-wall, of an adjustableproscenium-frame arranged behind the wall, and adapted to partly fillthe openingin the said wall, substantially as herein shown anddescribed.

2. An adjustable proscenium consisting of a frame provided with wingsfor increasing or decreasing the size of the said frame, substantiallyas herein shown and described.

3. An adjustable proscenium consisting of a frame formed of a top piece,0", and standards 0, provided with doors or openings, substantially asherein shown and described.

4. An adjustableproscenium consisting of a frame formed of a top piece,G two standards, C, and corner-pieces D, substantially as herein shownand described.

HIRE KIRALFY.

\Vitnesses:

CHAS H. GRnnXn, J. V. IIAYES.

